Archdiocese of Los Angeles - Diaconate Formation Program

Aspirancy Year 2 - Schedule of Sessions (2021-2022)

See also: Aspirancy Homepage | Year 2 Syllabus | Year 2 Spiritual Exercises | Year 2 Bibliography

Daily Schedule

(for most Saturdays beginning Oct. 9, except Nov. 6, March 19, April 30)

9:00 – Morning Prayer (bilingual, together with Year 1 Aspirants)
9:30–12:30 – Morning Rotating Schedule (3 sub-groups)
9:40 – 10:30 – Rotation Period 1
10:40 – 11:30 – Rotation Period 2
11:40 – 12:30 – Rotation Period 3
12:30–1:30 – Lunch (bring your own)
1:30–4:00 – Afternoon Instruction
4:00–4:30 – Group Discussion and/or Faith Sharing
4:35 – Evening Prayer (bilingual, together with Year 1 Aspirants)
5:00 – Departure

	Subgroup A	Subgroup B	Subgroup C
9:40 – 10:30	Indiv. Spir. Direction	Fr. Jim Clarke	Mr. Carlos Obando
10:40 – 11:30	Mr. Carlos Obando	Indiv. Spir. Direction	Fr. Jim Clarke
11:40 – 12:30	Fr. Jim Clarke	Mr. Carlos Obando	Indiv. Spir. Direction

Summer Reading: Marshall J. Cook, Time Management: A Catholic Approach. Pauline Books, 2009.

FALL 2021:

Aug. 21-22 (Sat & Sun) – OPENING RETREAT

• St. Peter Claver Church, Simi Valley, CA;  9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. both days
• Book to Bring: Kevin O’Brien, The Ignatian Adventure. Loyola Press, 2011.
• Handouts:
  • Faith Sharing Guidelines (bilingual: English & Spanish)
  • Ten Rules for Being a Good Listener (bilingual: English & Spanish)
  • Ignatian Meditation & Contemplation (bilingual: English & Spanish)
  • Examen Prayer Card (English only
  • Examination of Conciousness (bilingual: English & Spanish)
  • Aschenbrenner: Consciousness Examen (English)
  • Aschenbrenner: Examen del consciente (Spanish)

Aug. 28

• Morning & Afternoon: Biblical/Theological Formation
• Preparing for the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises (see separate detailed schedule)
• Review of Styles and Methods of Biblical Prayer
• Principles of Catholic Biblical Interpretation & the Both/And Approach (PDF English | PDF Spanish)
• Revelation & Bible in the CCC and Vatican II's Dei Verbum (PDF English & Spanish)
• Reading & Response Paper: Aschenbrenner, “Consciousness Examen” (PDF English | PDF Spanish)

Sept. 11

• Morning & Afternoon: Biblical/Theological Formation
• Preparing for the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises (see separate detailed schedule)
• Introduction to Jewish and Christian Bibles
• Introduction to the New Testament: Historical Context and Canonical Writings
• Reading & Response Paper: Ronald D. Witherup, Biblical Fundamentalism: What Every Catholic Should Know. Liturgical Press, 2001.
• Reading: Powell, Introducing the New Testament, chapters 1-3.
• Handouts:
  • Jewish and Christian Bibles (PDF English | PDF Spanish)
  • New Testament Canon (PDF English | PDF Spanish)

Sept. 25

• Morning: Human/Spiritual Formation
• Ignatian Spiritual Exercises (see separate detailed schedule)
• Hm/Sp Topic: Building Community (Fr. Rodolfo Prado)
• Recommended: Loughlan Sofield & Donald Kuhn, The Collaborative Leader, pp. 25-149.
• Handout:
• Afternoon: Biblical/Theological Formation
• Gospel according to MARK (Fr. Felix Just, SJ)
• Introduction to Jesus and the Four Gospels
• Reading: Powell, Introducing the New Testament, chapters 4, 5.
• Reading & Response Paper: the whole Gospel of Mark in your Bible
• Handouts:
  • Four Gospel Charts (PDF English | PDF Spanish)
  • Gospel of Mark (PDF English | PDF Spanish)

Oct. 9

• Morning: Human/Spiritual Formation
• Ignatian Spiritual Exercises (see separate detailed schedule)
• Hm/Sp Topic: Pastoral Charity (Fr. Leon Hutton)
• Handout: Pastoral Charity
• Afternoon: Biblical/Theological Formation
• Gospel according to MARK, cont. (Fr. Felix Just, SJ)
• Reading & Response Paper: Powell, Introducing the New Testament, chapter 7.
• Webpages:
  • Gospel of Mark (on Fr. Just's website)

Oct. 23

• Morning: Human/Spiritual Formation
• Ignatian Spiritual Exercises (see separate detailed schedule)
• Hm/Sp Topic: Devotions (Fr. Austin Doran)
• Recommended: Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers (USCCB) - skim
• Afternoon: Biblical/Theological Formation
• Gospel according to MATTHEW (Dr. Bill Shaules)
• Reading & Response Paper: whole Gospel of Matthew in your Bible

NOV. 6-7 – Two-Day WORKSHOP on MARRIAGE & Celibacy (St. Clare of Assisi Parish, 19606 Calla Way, Canyon Country, CA 91351)

• Saturday & Sunday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm; led by Fr. Jim Clarke and Team
• Readings:
• Gottman, John M. The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. Revised ed. Harmony, 2015. – $16.99
• CCC, Part Two, Article 7, par. 1601-1666 – multiple pages online from https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P50.HTM to https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P57.HTM
• Pope John Paul II, Familiaris Consortio (1981) – https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_19811122_familiaris-consortio.html
• Pope Francis, Amoris Laetitia (2016) – https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20160319_amoris-laetitia.html

Nov. 20

• Morning: Human/Spiritual Formation
• Ignatian Spiritual Exercises (see separate detailed schedule)
• Hm/Sp Topic: Evangelization (Fr. Parker Sandoval)
• Reading: Sherry Weddell, Fruitful Discipleship.
• Afternoon: Biblical/Theological Formation
• Gospel according to MATTHEW, cont. (Dr. Bill Shaules)
• Reading & Response Paper: Powell, Introducing the New Testament, chapter 6.
• Webpages:
  • Gospel of Matthew (on Fr. Just's website)

Dec. 4

• Morning: Human/Spiritual Formation
• Ignatian Spiritual Exercises (see separate detailed schedule)
• Hm/Sp Topic: Theological Reflection & Spiritual Reading (Sr. Carol Quinlivan, CSJ)
• Afternoon: Biblical/Theological Formation
• Gospel according to LUKE (Fr. Felix Just, SJ)
• Reading & Response Paper: the whole Gospel of Luke in your Bible

Dec. 18

• Morning: Human/Spiritual Formation
• Ignatian Spiritual Exercises (see separate detailed schedule)
• Hm/Sp Topic: Spirituality of Negative Emotions (Fr. Jim Clarke)
• Recommended: James & Evelyn Whitehead, Shadows of the Heart, pp. 3-87, 175-187.
• Afternoon: Biblical/Theological Formation
• Gospel according to LUKE, cont. (Fr. Felix Just, SJ)
• Reading & Response Paper: Powell, Introducing the New Testament, chapter 8.
• Webpages:
  • Gospel of Luke (on Fr. Just's website)
  
  

SPRING 2022:

Jan. 8 (by Zoom)

• Morning: Human/Spiritual Formation
• Ignatian Spiritual Exercises (see separate detailed schedule)
• Hm/Sp Topic: Human Sexuality & Relationships (Fr. Leon Hutton; Fr. Jim Clarke)
• Handout: Human Sexuality & Relationships (PDF English | PDF Spanish)
• Reading: David Richo, How to Be an Adult in Relationships, pp. 7-78, 153-198.
• Afternoon: Biblical/Theological Formation
• Topic: Review of Catechism: Part I
• Reading & Response Paper: All “In Brief” sections of the CCC, Part I
• Handouts and Webpages:
  • CCC Contents (English) | CIC Contenido (Spanish)
  • God as Trinity in the New Testament (FJ's website)

Jan. 22 (by Zoom)

• Morning: Human/Spiritual Formation
• Ignatian Spiritual Exercises (see separate detailed schedule)
• Hm/Sp Topic: Small Faith Community & Support Networks (Dn. David Estrada)
• Afternoon: Biblical/Theological Formation
• Topic: Review of Catechism: Part II
• Reading & Response Paper: All “In Brief” sections of the CCC, Part II
• Handouts & Webpages: The Seven Sacraments (FJ's website)

Feb. 5 (by Zoom)

• Morning: Human/Spiritual Formation
• Ignatian Spiritual Exercises (see separate detailed schedule)
• Hm/Sp Topic: Conflict Resolution (Fr. Jim Clarke)
• Recommended: Peg Pickering, How to Handle Conflict and Confrontation.
• Afternoon: Biblical/Theological Formation
• Topic: Review of Catechism: Part III
• Reading & Response Paper: All “In Brief” sections of the CCC, Part III
• Handouts & Webpages: The Decalogue / Ten Commandments (FJ's website)

Feb. 19 (back at St. Peter Claver Church)

• Morning: Human/Spiritual Formation
• Ignatian Spiritual Exercises (see separate detailed schedule)
• Hm/Sp Topic: Spiritual Direction (Fr. Jim Clarke)
• Recommended: Margaret Guenther, Holy Listening, pp. 7-41, 81-140.
• Afternoon: Biblical/Theological Formation
• Topic: Review of Catechism: Part IV
• Reading & Response Paper: All “In Brief” sections of the CCC, Part IV
• Recommended Webpages:
  • What Is Prayer?
  • Prayer in the New Testament
  • The Lord's Prayer / Our Father
  • John 17: The Prayer of the Hour of Jesus

MARCH 5 – at Bishop Alemany High School (11111 N Alemany Dr, Mission Hills, CA 91345)

• Morning: Human/Spiritual Formation
• Ignatian Spiritual Exercises (see separate detailed schedule)
• Hm/Sp Topic: Obstacles to Wholeness; Balance in Ministry (Fr. Jim Clarke)
• Recommended: Wilkie Au & Noreen Cannon, Urgings of the Heart.
• Afternoon: Biblical/Theological Formation
• Gospel according to JOHN (Fr. Felix Just, SJ)
• Reading & Response Paper: whole Gospel of John in your Bible
  

March 18-20 – L.A. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CONGRESS / Congreso de Educación Religiosa

• Please register and attend any two of the three days (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
• Attend at least four talks (plenary or workshops), two liturgies, and any other sessions you wish. Write a reflection on your experience (details will be given later).

April 2

• Morning: Human/Spiritual Formation
• Ignatian Spiritual Exercises (see separate detailed schedule)
• Hm/Sp Topic: Parish Spirituality (Fr. Richard Vega)
• Afternoon: Biblical/Theological Formation
• Gospel according to JOHN, cont. (Fr. Felix Just, SJ)
• Reading & Response Paper: Powell, Introducing the New Testament, chapter 9.
• Webpages:
  • Gospel of John (on Fr. Just's website)

April 17 – Holy Saturday (no session)
April 18 – Happy Easter!

April 23

• Morning: Human/Spiritual Formation
• Ignatian Spiritual Exercises (see separate detailed schedule)
• Hm/Sp Topic: Virtues & Vices: Traditional and Contemporary (Fr. Jim Clarke)
• Recommended: Mary Margaret Funk, Thoughts Matter, pp. 13-140.
• Afternoon: Biblical/Theological Formation
• ACTS of the Apostles (Fr. Felix Just, SJ)
• Reading & Response Paper: the whole Acts of the Apostles in your Bible

April 30

• Morning: Biblical/Theological Formation
• [Note: No meetings with individual Spiritual Directors]
• Acts of the Apostles, cont. (Fr. Felix Just, SJ)
• Reading & Response Paper: Powell, Introducing the New Testament, chapter 10.
• Afternoon: Biblical/Theological Formation
• New Testament Theologies (Fr. Felix Just, SJ)
• Reading: Powell, Introducing the New Testament, chapters 11-12 (“response paper” only on Ch. 10, above)

MAY 14 – at Bishop Alemany High School (11111 N Alemany Dr, Mission Hills, CA 91345)

• Morning: Human/Spiritual Formation
• Ignatian Spiritual Exercises (see separate detailed schedule)
• Hm/Sp Topic: Ministry Skills (Fr. Perry Leiker)
• Afternoon: Human/Spiritual Formation
• Topic: Collaborative Ministry (Sr. Carol Quinlivan, CSJ)
• Recommended: Loughlan Sofield & Carroll Juliano, Collaborative Ministry, pp. 25-134.
• Writing: Response Paper - on Chapter 12 of Powell's Introducing the New Testament (or a combo of Chapters 11 & 12) - NEW!
  

May 28

• Morning: Human/Spiritual Formation
• Ignatian Spiritual Exercises (see separate detailed schedule)
• Extra Hm/Sp Topic: Personal Development & Right Relationships (Fr. Jim Clarke)
• Recommended: Rick Hanson, Resilient, pp. 9-194.
• Afternoon: Liturgical Formation
• Lectionary & Liturgical Preaching
• Reading & Response Paper: Lectionary for Mass, “Introduction”
  (online at https://catholic-resources.org/Lectionary/1981-GeneralIntroduction.htm)

JUNE 24-26 (Friday - Sunday) – CANDIDACY RETREAT

• 11:00 a.m. Friday to 3:00 p.m. Sunday
• El Carmelo Retreat House, 926 E highland Ave, Redlands, CA 92374
• Includes “Rite of Candidacy” at Sunday Mass (1:30 pm; families invited)

Note: This syllabus is subject to change. / Nota: Este programa se puede cambiar.

See also: Aspirancy Homepage | Year 2 Syllabus | Year 2 Spiritual Exercises | Year 2 Bibliography